Onesie!!

Sewing with knits has been a lot easier than I thought - especially with a serger now! I think I have mentioned before that these owls aren't my favorite, but it is fun experimenting with them! This pattern was really easy. I will widen the crotch a little more next time, as it tends to ride side to side, but overall, I really like the fit and am planning to make some long sleeved ones as well.



LOVE those eyes!!!

Sweet Baby Bonnet and a Conversation with Ria

Ria: Hi Mama! Watch me drink from my cup!

Mama: Hey Pumpkin, can you try this on for me, pretty please?
Ria: I detest hats! It needs to come OFF!!

Mama: No, Little One, just a couple minutes to make Aunt Shell happy!
Ria: I don't wanna!!
Mama: Can we go find a kitty??
Ria: Keeee! Keeee! Keeee!
(following pictures were taken after finding one of the kitties and petting her)

The pattern for this was McCalls 3063 (now 6221) which has christening gowns and rompers as well as bonnets. I used a shirt for this that I found at Salvation Army a few months ago and could have SWORN that I had taken a picture but can't find it on the computer! I still think I did, but am pretty sure it is on my old phone which I dropped on the stone steps of the library, oops, I mean just stopped working one day! (We did tell them the truth but the tech told me that never happened and replaced the phone.) Back to the shirt. It was a ladies extra small blouse with the lace for the front, and fine cotton for the back. can't remember what the sleeves were, I am thinking they were plain cotton as well. The main part of the bonnet was cut out of one side of the blouse, and then I hand picked a row of lace off with a row of plain cotton for the ruffle. It turned out really cute....now that it is finished the weather is getting colder and it is getting too small for her head....but will be adorable for her little sister (whenever that happens) or another dear baby girl.

Way Too Long!!

Remember this? I just put it back on her so she could model it, and while it is big, I think it will be good in 3 months or so. :) For now, though, it reaches the floor!

Ria's new hat

The cooler weather here has thrown me into a tailspin! I have warm weather clothes....and cold weather clothes for Ria, but not much for in between. I decided that I need a light hat to help Ria acclimate to the cooler temperatures. She has hair, but not enough to keep her little head warm when the temperatures drop! The pattern is the Sweet Pea Pilot Cap and can be found on this blog. My friend, Trina, has made several of these, so I tried it, and it was fairly easy! This fabric is Ria's absolute favorite. Mine too. When I went into labor, I took my favorite blanket to the hospital with me (ok, ok, I will admit I can't sleep without it). It is SOOOO soft! After she was born, Ria would just melt into it if we placed her on it - it was one thing that would calm her down. Mom found some fabric - Joanns calls it the ultra cuddle fabric and made her some blankets and a hat....the blankets are used every day but the hat is now too small! I can't believe how fast this baby is growing! We saw my Mom's cousin's baby (it is too late for me to figure out seconds and twice-removeds, I'm sorry) and he was SO tiny. My baby isn't so little anymore - and she stood on her own the other day and again today!! oops. sorry. back to the fabric... anyways, I found some white cuddle fabric and used it to make a couple of hats out of it. The edging on this one is from a tank top that was rather comfy, but was JUST the right color for her, so it was sacrificed. lol. The things I do for this child! HA! sorry. Back to the fabric....again!!! The great thing about this is that you can't see the stitching!!! What a relief, because the first time I try a project, there is always some wonky stitching! Here is a picture of it being modeled. Focus on the HAT, Jen! The pattern calls for a knit fabric, and since this one doesn't stretch, I made it in the largest size. I have to keep messing with it to make it cover both ears, so I will make it extend farther on each size if I make it again, otherwise, with the stretch of the knit, it should be a great size for awhile.

Too long!

Ok, so once again it has been forever and this post is coming because my dear friend Shell is losing faith in my blogging abilities. Ha! Well, it has been too long since I have posted and this little dress is also too long....but too narrow! It is a fight to get it over her head and since she is crawling at the moment, a long skirt isn't helping her make progress. So there are a few modifications that need to be made to it, however, I love it and it would be great for the winter with a pair of leggings...or some wool pants made from a refashioned sweater. The pattern is from McCall's. Overall it was very easy other than the neckline, which is an overlapping neckline like most onesies. I serged it but still tried to fold it over 5/8" like the pattern called for - it was impossible around the curves, so I ended up serging it again and cutting 1/4" off and it turned nicely. :) Not my favorite knit, but I haven't done much work with knits and this was nice to start out with. This was made in the large size, so my next project will be pattern adjusting! :)

More Elephants!

More sewing!

I made these for the son of a dear friend of mine. It was kind of funny. First I started with the green shoes...then I wasn't sure if they would fit, so I made the blue ones a size bigger. The blue shoes were so cute that I decided to make a romper for him out of the fabric. Then I found the elephant and had to put one on. LOL!

It turned out so cute that I am now making a dress and bloomers for Maria and a romper as a going away present for the little boy I am watching. I used my new snap press that I bought for applying snaps to cloth diaper! So much fun!

Baby Sewing!

Hi there! I have been really busy getting ready for my little one! Some of that has been sewing for the baby. I made a fleece bunting and hat that are so cute! Pictures for those should be up tomorrow. I also made a breastfeeding pillow. I picked one up at a garage sale, but I didn't realize that it was slightly mildewy. After washing it, the stuffing became extremely hard, so I took it apart, and used the fabric as a pattern. I made the pillow and two covers. One is linen, from a skirt that I found. I love how it looks so sophisticated! The buttons are only on one side, but make it look so neat! The other is flannel on one side and fleece on the other, and is SO soft! I am sure the flannel one will be getting the most use! They both have zippers for easy removal, and I am finding that the more I put in, the more comfortable I am with them. I used to freak out at the thought of putting in a zipper! I am also working on more Pack N Play sheets, nursing pads, and dog boots. My dog boot pattern needs some modification, so I keep working on it a little then setting it aside before I get too frustrated with it. Nesting has definitely been working to my advantage - I love crossing projects off my list!